More from Footwear News

• Kid Cudi Is Selling Rare Sneakers and Clothing From His Personal Collection

• The Best Adidas Sneakers Releasing in November

• Lionel Messi's Wife Antonelli Roccuzzo Gets Sporty in Adidas Originals Rivalry Crepe Shoes

After holding various communications leadership roles at Adidas for more than 33 years, Jan Runau is stepping away from his longtime professional home.

In a statement emailed to FN on Tuesday, Runau announced he will be “ending the active part” of his career at Adidas on Dec. 31. “I look back with gratitude on a great time, priceless moments and wonderful friendships. At the same time, I’m excited about what’s to come,” he wrote.

Runau’s first role at Adidas was public relations manager Germany, which he assumed in August 1991, and according to his LinkedIn, he was promoted to head of PR of Adidas Germany in January 1994.

He left Adidas in April 1998 for Hugo Boss, however that lasted just eight months, and he returned to the Three Stripes in December 1998 as head of sports marketing/PR for Europe.

Runau became Adidas’ head of global and corporate PR in August 2000, according to his LinkedIn, and was elevated to chief corporate communication officer in April 2006.

“2024 was a fantastic year of sport: the European Football Championships in Germany, the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, the 75th birthday of Adidas, the Adidas turnaround in full swing — events that will not repeat themselves so quickly,” he wrote in his statement. “Therefore, now is the time to let go of the job that has always been my passion and that has shaped my life for over three decades.”

On Thursday, Adidas reported its third quarter results, beating its own expectations. The company announced sales growth of 10 percent, on a currency-neutral basis. Sales between July and September were 6.44 billion euros, versus 5.99 billion euros in the same prior-year period.

After his career with Adidas is officially closed, Runau said his plans include spending time with his family and friends, as well as playing sports, coaching tennis kids and earning his MBA in sport management at Bayreuth.

What’s more, he stated he will bolster his efforts for the Family Runau Foundation, an organization he explained supports socially disadvantaged children and young people through sports and educational programs.

About the Author

Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at [email protected].